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Tackling the asylum crisis: Europe still lacks ambition

12 April 2016
Tackling the asylum crisis: Europe still lacks ambition

The European Parliament has approved of a series of recommendations that are to be part of a so-called holistic approach towards the asylum crisis. “However, the European Parliament still shows too little ambition and still has not proposed a truly comprehensive approach. Moreover, the focus is …

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Extra measures in the fight against tax fraud

12 April 2016
Extra measures in the fight against tax fraud

“The days when tax backdoors were tolerated are a thing of the past,” Johan Van Overtveldt states unequivocally. As Minister of Finance, charged with fighting tax fraud, he is putting significantly more effort into that fight with a substantial package of new anti fraud measures. For example, a …

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Better regulations keep jobs and companies in Europe

12 April 2016
Better regulations keep jobs and companies in Europe

The European Parliament has approved Anneleen Van Bossuyt’s report on better regulations in the internal market. “Better regulations benefit citizens as well as companies,” the member of European Parliament explains. “Therefore it is a crucial report for the pursuit of a competitive regulatory …

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Exchange of passenger information in Europe around the corner

8 April 2016
Exchange of passenger information in EU around the corner

The European Parliament is likely to vote about the PNR system that is to enable exchange of passenger information between EU member states. “Finally!” says European Parliament member Sander Loones. “Even though the PNR system plays a crucial role in the fight against terrorism, this project has …

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Ukraine referendum: “Europe can and must be improved”

7 April 2016
Exchange of passenger information in EU around the corner

The Dutch have voted on the European Association Agreement with the Ukraine. As expected, the no-vote has won, with a large majority of 61.1 percent and a convincing 32.2 percent turnout rate. “In my opinion, this Dutch vote is the umpteenth signal that Europe can and must be improved,” European …

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Reform of EU asylum regulations stuck in half-heartedness

6 April 2016
EU asylum regulations: reform stuck in half-heartedness

The European Commission is planning a reform of the current asylum legislation, which is based on the so-called Dublin Regulation “It is true that change is needed,” say European Parliament members Sander Loones and Helga Stevens. “And it’s also true that the Commission has put forward a number of …

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